Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
Contact Us
| Appointment Scheduling | 415-600-0770 |
| Christine Nguyen, MD | 415-600-0750 |
| Antonio Quiros, MD | 415-600-0750 |
| Sarah Boushey-George, RN, MS, PNP | 415-600-0750 |
| Feeding Disorders Clinic | 415-600-2378 |
Overview
Our Approach: At California Pacific Medical Center, our Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Team specializes in the diagnosis and management of both routine and complex digestive disorders. We couple this expertise with personalized care, working closely with each patient, family and referring physician to determine the best treatment plan.
Family-Centered Care: Family-centered care is an integral part of our program. With this approach, our medical team works in partnership with each child and his/her family to determine the best plan of care. We share timely, complete information with patients and families so they can effectively participate in care and decision-making. We encourage ongoing communication with our team.
Clinical Research: Our team is active in clinical research, offering patients entry into relevant studies. We have active studies in inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent and chronic pancreatitis and motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract (gastroesophageal reflux, dysphagia, etc.).
Our Services
Our specialists provide multidisciplinary diagnosis, therapy and long-term care for children ranging in age from 0 - 18 who have nutritional, gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic disorders.
We see children with the entire range of GI conditions including:
> Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
> Malabsorptive disorders (celiac disease, chronic diarrhea)
> Recurrent pancreatitis and hepatobiliary disease
> Chronic hepatitis
> Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
> Peptic ulcer disease
> Feeding dysfunction / failure to thrive
> Functional bowel disorders (IBS, chronic constipation)
> Gastrointestinal manifestations of allergic disease
Additionally, the Feeding Disorders Clinic, which operates out of our Child Development Center, provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for young children with feeding problems and oral-motor concerns.
Specialized Procedures
Sometimes, additional procedures are required to help diagnose or treat a GI-related problem. If your child requires such a procedure, our gastroenterologists will explain the need for the test, its procedure and potential risks, and possible outcomes. Among the tests we perform include:
- Anorectal Manometry: This test measures pressures in the rectum (last part of colon) and anus. It is indicated in chronic constipation or fecal incontenence, to evaluate injured nerves or muscles, confirm suspected Hirschprung's disease, or to evaluate appropriateness for biofeedback.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback assists a child in managing health problems such as constipation and encopresis (fecal soiling) through muscle awareness and re-education. A computer, sensors and games are used to identify physiological changes in the body. No invasive probes are used.
- Breath Hydrogen Testing: Hydrogen in exhaled breath is measured to evaluate for lactose intolerance, intolerance of other sugars, or bacterial overgrowth.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): This procedure involves using high-frequency ultrasound visualization from within the intestinal tract to look at intestinal and adjacent lesions that may be amenable for resection and biopsy using different modalities and techniques.
- Endoscopy (Upper): A flexible tube is inserted into the mouth to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and first part of small intestine. Upper endoscopy is indicated for evaluating vomiting, trouble swallowing, poor growth, diarrhea, stomach pain or foreign body impactions.
- Endoscopy (Lower) (also known as colonoscopy): A flexible tube is advanced through the colon and into the last part of the small intestine. A colonoscopy is indicated to evaluate lower abdominal pain, blood in stool, iron deficiency anemia, bowel inflammation, or to test and/or treat some polyps or small lesions of the colon.
- Esophageal Manometry: This test measures the pressures and motility in the esophagus. It is indicated for children with difficulty swallowing, chest pain, food impactions, or to evaluate if medicines or surgery for reflux are working.
- Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy provides a very small sample of liver tissue for diagnostic tests. The procedure is performed with sedation and involves insertion of a needle through the skin and into the liver to obtain a tissue sample.
- Pancreaticobiliary Endoscopy: This procedures uses specialized endoscopic techniques for minimally invasive access into the pancreatic and biliary systems for therapeutic indications.
What Happens at a Clinic Visit?
During a clinic visit, one of our board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists and a pediatric nurse specializing in gastroenterology will complete a thorough medical history and exam of your child. The gastroenterologist reviews previous studies and thoroughly examines all relevant body systems. Usually, a clinic visit lasts about one hour for new patients.
To assist with the gastroenterology team’s assessment of your child, please bring any relevant medical records and test results.
For out-of-town patients, the Cathedral Hill Hotel is affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center and offers discounted rates to our patients and families. A shuttle runs between the hotel and hospital. See the Visiting Us section for more details.
Our Team
Our Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Team provides multisciplinary care, meaning that we have a team of specialists who work together to care for each child’s needs. These specialists include doctors, nurses, social workers, a psychologist, nutritionist, physical and occupational therapists, and child life and art therapists. 
J. Antonio Quiros, M.D. is medical director of California Pacific’s Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Program. He previously practiced at the University of California Davis Medical Center and was an Advanced Fellow in Therapeutic Endoscopy at Stanford University Medical Center. He did his sub-specialty training in Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and completed his residency in Pediatrics and International Health at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Quiros is a member of the Physician Foundation at California Pacific Medical Center.
Christine Nguyen, M.D. joined our Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Program following completion of a fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center. She earned her M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed her pediatric residency at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Sarah Boushey-George, R.N., M.S., PNP - As the pediatric nurse practitioner for the Pediatric Gstroenterology & Nutrition Program, Sarah sees both new and continuing patients in our gastroenterology and feeding clinic. She received her R.N., M.S. and PNP degrees from the University of California, San Francisco.
Location
The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology is located at our:
Women & Children's Center
3700 California Street, B555 (Basement Level)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Care Centers
The Physician Foundation at California Pacific Medical Center offers pediatric gastroenterology care centers in the following cities:
Marin
1100 S. Eliseo Drive, Suite 1
Greenbrae, CA 94904
Tel. 415-600-0770 or
Toll-Free 866-663-KIDS (5437)
San Mateo
100 S. San Mateo Dr.
San Mateo, CA 94402
Tel. 650-696-4494
Toll-Free 866-663-KIDS (5437)
Santa Rosa
990 Sonoma Avenue, Building 9
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Tel. 415-600-0770 or
Toll-Free 866-663-KIDS (5437)
Gastroenterology and Nutrition Health Information and Services
Please select from the following educational material and services:
> Biofeedback Therapy for Bowel Dysfunction
> Colonoscopy
> Feeding Toddlers - Points to Remember
> Facts About Fiber
> Food Allergies
> Gastroesophageal Reflux in Older Children
> General Guidelines for Feeding Children
> Helpful Hints for Feeding Children
> High Calorie Food Ideas
> Hydrogen Breath Test for Lactose Intolerance
> Lactose-Free Diet
> Spitting up by Infants (Regurgitation, Reflux or GER)
Web Links
The following Web sites have useful information regarding pediatric gastroenterology.
